Race Report & Video : Maxiavalanche Vallnord 2014
The MAXIAVALANCHE in Vallnord, Andorra is the start of the Enduro Downhill Marathon season. The Maxiavalanche has been held in Vallnord for 13 years and has built up a strong reputation for being one of the best mountain bike destinations. 500 riders took part in this weekend long event of hardcore riding!
The race is designed to be accessible by both professionals and amateurs alike, with 5 rounds of qualifying taking place on the Saturday allowing riders of all levels to compete against each other. Only the fastest 100 riders would get to compete in the Maxiavalanche European Cup race the following day.
Sundays main race would contain several of Enduros best riders, Yoann Barelli, Cédric Gracia, Bryan Regnier and Damien Oton to name a few. Making for stiff competition and great racing for the spectators on Sunday!
Times were close in the first round of racing on Sunday with the top 3 riders (Oton, Barelli, Gracia) separated by only 30 seconds! Cédric Gracia would go on to seize victory after the second round closely followed by Damien Oton with Yoann Barelli rounding out the top 3.
In the women’s race times were also close in the top 3, with Nadine Sapin Emilie Serre and Lea Giraud Marcellin fighting for the top spots. Sapin would go on to win both stages and take the lead in the overall standings.
The mens race finished with Damien Oton taking the overall victory followed by Cédric Gracia and Yoann Barelli.
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1. OTON Damien DEVINCI ALL TRICKS / DEVINCI (France)
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2. GRACIA Cedric BRIGADE / SANTA CRUZ (Andorre)
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3. BARELLI Yoann GIANT OFF-ROAD ENDURO TEAM (France)
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4. LOMBO Santiago ORBEA ENDURO CREW / (ARGENTINE)
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5. AMOUR Karim BH / BH (France)
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1. SAPIN Nadine / SCOTT (France)
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2. SERRE Emilie / COMMENCAL (France)
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3. GIRAUD MARCELLIN Lea / SANTA CRUZ (France)
Photos: UCC Cyril Charpin Words: Ed Davidson-Bowman
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